As Hurricane Helene gathers strength, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are locked in a pivotal three-game series with significant postseason implications. Starting Tuesday night, the teams find themselves separated by the slimmest of margins, with the Mets holding a half-game lead for a wild-card spot and the Braves trailing close behind.
High Stakes and Uncertainty
The Braves took the first victory of the series on Tuesday, narrowing the gap and increasing the tension. The Mets, eyeing a postseason berth, need to win two out of the remaining three games to secure their spot. In contrast, the Braves can't secure their playoff position based solely on this series but remain determined to keep their hopes alive.
This high-stakes series, however, is under the looming shadow of Hurricane Helene. Upgraded to a hurricane in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update, Helene is expected to hit Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 storm. With damaging winds, torrential rains, and possible tornadoes forecasted from Wednesday to Friday, Atlanta is bracing for severe weather conditions. The storm could disrupt the tightly scheduled series, creating uncertainty for both teams and MLB officials.
Weather-Related Contingencies
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, MLB had not announced any changes to the series schedule, leaving Thursday's game planned for a 7:20 p.m. ET start. However, with the storm’s intensity and trajectory closely monitored, adjustments seem increasingly likely. One option under consideration is advancing Thursday’s game to an earlier time slot, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET, to avoid the worst of the storm. Another potential solution could be playing a doubleheader on Wednesday, capitalizing on Monday's off-day.
In past major league seasons, severe weather has necessitated the relocation of entire series. Notable examples include the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008, which was moved to Milwaukee's Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike, and the Rangers vs. Astros series in 2017, relocated to Tampa's Tropicana Field in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Should relocation become necessary for the Braves and Mets, Globe Life Field in Arlington emerges as a viable alternative site.
Impact on Teams and Schedule
Postponing the game to Monday, the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series, remains a consideration but only if the game is crucial for determining postseason qualifications. Otherwise, rescheduling the game post-regular season would be a cumbersome last resort. Both teams could find themselves finishing a 161-game season rather than the standard 162 if the rescheduling proves too complex.
The logistical challenges are evident, particularly for the Mets, whose schedule could face significant disruption post-series. While the Braves don’t have immediate travel obligations after the series, the stress of uncertain weather and fluctuating plans could impact performance.
Official Responses
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza underscored the element of unpredictability, noting that as of late Tuesday afternoon, they had received no communication from MLB regarding potential changes. Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center issued a stark warning about Helene’s potential impact, forecasting “life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States.”
As the series progresses, baseball fans and officials alike will keep a close watch on both the standings and the sky. The Braves and Mets face the dual challenge of battling each other on the field while navigating the whims of an impending storm.